# Hey, join the band: What instrument(s) do you play? Do you sing? Write music? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104 "2010-01-15T18:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/41 "2010-01-16T20:00:58Z")
I don’t play. And can’t. But if I did it would be Piano/Keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/42 "2010-01-16T20:37:46Z")
I play enough keyboards to serve as a church organist or play rhythm in a band. I also use mine to write (alt-country genre). My grandmother taught me basic accordian and autoharp as a kid, but it’s been a while since I’ve played either. Tambourine is the default instrument when I’m sitting in with a group and singing. In junior high, I took clarinet for a couple of years, but am so far out of practice, I don’t consider myself to play. I also played the old English recorder for a bit and still remember the fingering, but, as with the clarinet, it’s been years. The vibrophone was fun to learn a few songs on. I wouldn’t mind picking that one back up. My primary musical talent is vocals. I sing alto / high tenor and have performed in bands, choirs and done studio work. I’ve written (don’t much anymmore) and actually been published. Folk, bluegrass, country and blues are my preferred genres. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/43 "2010-01-16T21:02:55Z")
> [@HISSNLISSN](#): > > Productions: [http://soundcloud.com/hissnlissn](http://soundcloud.com/hissnlissn) > > Working on a slew of material to be self-released on vinyl. Also starting up a separate label for limited run vinyls from other artists, fwiw, focus being on remix/rework/versions. I’ve played in several bands in the past and have been doing music in one form or another since the tender age of 8, started out on cello. I don’t know if you’ll come back to this thread, but I’ve been listening to your compositions. Wow. If you don’t mind my asking, how do you make them? Is it a mixture of live instruments and virtual/computer? Is there sampling in there, too? Sorry, I don’t really know the proper terms. ---
**Author:** ![HISSNLISSN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed8c4c/32.png) [@HISSNLISSN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HISSNLISSN)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/44 "2010-01-16T21:55:31Z")
Sidney, no worries about the ‘proper terms.’ I usually combine all three: sampling, live recording, and software synths. Since I don’t have an outboard sampler other than a clunky MC-307 (aka “groovebox”) I usually do all my sampling and recording into the computer via firewire audio interface. It’s difficult to translate some of this stuff in lay terms (e.g. “firewire audio interface” just means an external soundcard) but if you have any more behind the curtain questions, you are more than welcome to ask away. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/45 "2010-01-17T04:35:44Z")
HISSNLISSN, Thanks. I found some videos of the MC-307. Pretty cool. Did you go to school for music production or something like that? Are you also a DJ? ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/46 "2010-01-17T04:41:26Z")
I chose “I sing”, if you could use a ferocious death growl \m/ ---
**Author:** ![HISSNLISSN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed8c4c/32.png) [@HISSNLISSN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HISSNLISSN)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/47 "2010-01-17T05:49:36Z")
Sidney, Youtube vids are worth a thousand words in this case, very cool. I went to school for writing, and do indeed DJ. I’ll be guesting on a web radio show in the near future, will keep you posted if interested. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/48 "2010-01-17T06:51:36Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > as a kid I rang … church bells! Big bells - I had a go at the hand bells a few times, but much preferred the big ones. I had two different stretches in the handbell choir at church: once when I was in college, and again about 15 years later. That second stretch, about 5 years ago, lasted for a few years, but I wound up dropping out of the choir because business trips had me missing practice too often. It was kind of fun, and it’s where I really learned how to read music, though I never was able to do something in that choir which my brother-in-law and I had threatened to do: we wanted to figure out how to play The Imperial March (a.k.a. Vader’s Theme) on the handbells. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/49 "2010-01-17T11:54:33Z")
> [@SecondJudith](#): > > Klezmer violin. [Pixar reference]My name is Olentzero. We have just met and I love you.[/PR] Another violinist here. Weaned on baroque and classical, now into Scandinavian folk and timidly flirting with swing jazz (in that I have some books on my shelf and look at them occasionally, but never take them down). ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Mumble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Captain\_Mumble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Mumble)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/50 "2010-01-17T12:29:56Z")
On stage I’ve played:- Rythym,slide and lead guitar Electric bass Keyboards Lead and harmony vocals Drums (just the once) Bongos and that “Field General” thing at just about every gig Off stage I’ve done about a thousand Front of House mixing gigs and a few recordings -Mitch ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/51 "2010-01-17T12:52:29Z")
> [@Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](#): > > Anybody need a 'cello player? Sure, there’s always room for cello. ---
**Author:** ![Vambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/6de8d8/32.png) [@Vambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vambo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/52 "2010-01-17T13:03:47Z")
I am an excellent joiner inner. I play guitar, bass, keyboards and sing, but I can get music out of near anything. I can write and play what others have written as well as improvise on the spot. I am not a teacher but I find myself teaching often. I like all styles of music but tend to gravitate toward rock and blues. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/53 "2010-01-17T17:22:42Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > Primarily a guitar player, (but I also play piano accompaniment for an adult singing course). > > I got a gig in a few weeks playing Bossa Nova tunes with a small combo but I’m a mediocre jazz guitar player at my best. (I’m actually a bit nervous but the singer is quite the tasty dish 😉 ) > > My main gig is my [Moe’s Cafe](http://www.myspace.com/moescafe1) project - solo guitar improv using loops. Sorta like Steve Reich/Philip Glass meets psychedelia, or something. Very cool - thanks for posting the link. It is kinda like Philip Glass. Sidney Jr. thinks that part 2 sounds like butterflies. That is among the highest of compliments from a 4 year old. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/54 "2010-01-17T18:57:39Z")
Irish harp. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/55 "2010-01-17T19:18:45Z")
I write piano pieces, most of them somewhere betwixt George Winston and rock. [Here’s a short snippet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BPWBAJz3Ps) that exists because my former employer was doing one of those silly team and morale-building BS things and we were divided up into ‘teams’ each of which had to assemble a ‘talent show’ video composed of snippets like this. This one’s somewhat closer to jazz than most of what I do. ---
**Author:** ![Daedelus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Daedelus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daedelus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/56 "2010-01-17T20:54:37Z")
I play guitar, double bass, and violin mainly, and prefer to play jazz compositions. Though, unfortunately, I haven’t played in a combo for some time. @SecondJudith & Olentzero: Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/57 "2010-01-17T20:59:07Z")
I’ve been playing recorder with early music groups off and on for thirty years. I’m also willing to don white go-go boots and shake my vintage maracas. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/58 "2010-01-17T21:06:30Z")
I’ve played mandolin but I was never very good (recognizable on slow songs) and now have a couple of years of rust on that limited skill. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/59 "2010-01-18T01:15:50Z")
> [@HISSNLISSN](#): > > Sidney, Youtube vids are worth a thousand words in this case, very cool. I went to school for writing, and do indeed DJ. I’ll be guesting on a web radio show in the near future, will keep you posted if interested. Yeah, cool. PM me or post it to the thread if it’s still alive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104/60 "2010-01-18T12:10:28Z")
Played guitar (electric and accoustic) for over 30 (good grief) years, currently re-learning some ragtime pieces I managed to forget somewhere along the way. Used to write songs and sing 'em in my own band but haven’t been on stage in a long long time. I would have counted as a “Field General” back then though “Dictator” might have been a better description. I do own a bass and a sitar, but there’s something wrong about my timing on bass and I could never play anything legit on the sitar - Norwegian Wood maybe. If you need someone to do a Pete Townshend or Jimmy Page impression that’s me. (Steve Vai not so much these days :)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-join-the-band-what-instrument-s-do-you-play-do-you-sing-write-music/525104.md?page=4)